Dear trans and non-binary community: whether you are an artist, audience member, volunteer, member of staff or have any other connection to the building, you are welcome here.
If you feel unsafe at any point during your visit, please tell a member of staff and we will assist you.
Thank you.
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Today, we released a statement that says, specifically, that trans artists are welcome in our building.
Why are we doing this?
A number of trans artists and their allies have recently reached out to us, to say that it’s not easy for them to know which spaces they are welcome in. Our city is not always a welcoming place for gender-nonconforming people: there were protests outside Oxford Library, when Drag Queen Story Hour took place there.
When our community of artists asks us to do something, we always try and do it. Trans artists have asked us to step up and say that they are welcome here, so we have.
Does saying this mean that we are excluding other people?
No. Everyone is welcome at the Old Fire Station. We are answering a call to state, for the avoidance of doubt, that a specific group will not face harassment or discrimination here.
We hope that nobody else, from any other group of people, will experience harassment or discrimination either. In this building, we do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, regardless of age, body size, class, disability, ethnicity, gender physical appearance, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
How can I talk to the Old Fire Station about this, or any other area of discrimination?
If you would like to report any behaviour that makes you feel unsafe, speak to a member of staff or fill out this form.
If you have any concerns about our programming, you can email our Head of Creativity & Communications: alexandra.coke@oldfirestation.org.uk.